It was close but no cigar against the Golden State Warriors for the Boston Celtics on Friday night as they lost the first leg of a back-to-back at the TD Garden that will conclude tonight against the New York Knicks.
In holding the Dubs to just 14 points in the third quarter, the Cs gave themselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter. The comeback fell short, but it showed that even against the league’s winningest team, Ime Udoka’s squad isn’t going to roll over when down double digits.
Tonight, the Knicks come to town with several COVID-19 related absences. Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, and Kevin Knox are all out due to the league’s health and safety protocols. Meanwhile, the Celtics will be out Al Horford, Grant Williams, Jabari Parker, Juancho Hernangomez, and Sam Hauser.
Hardwood Houdini is here to dish out some odds, TV channel info, and a prediction for Saturday night’s short-handed battle between Atlantic Division rivals:
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 5-point favorites against the Knicks at home. NY is a +180 underdog on the road , with the Cs moneyline set at -210. The over/under for the game has been placed at 210 points.
Both teams are mired in sub-par stretches, with both teams having won just one of their last five games. NY is coming off a victory over the Houston Rockets this past Thursday. That win snapped a four-game losing streak.
Celtics vs. Knicks TV channel
NBA TV will be broadcasting this matchup nationally, while the local broadcasts will be on NBC Sports Bay Area and MSG, in addition to NBA League Pass.
Celtics vs. Knicks prediction
The Knicks are missing more important pieces than the Cs are. Given how difficult things have been, with Kemba Walker proving unplayable and Julius Randle’s level of play sharply dropping from last year, the Houdini is all in on the Boston ML.